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Huron, Erie county farm notes

Register

Feb 17, 2014

BALLOTS COUNTED
On Jan. 22 the Huron/Erie FSA County Committee (COC) met and counted all ballots received for the 2013 COC election. Mr. Richard Ruess, of Norwalk, was elected to represent LAA 2 in Huron County.

The townships Ruess will represent in all COC activities are: Bronson, Clarksfield, Hartland, Norwalk, Townsend and Wakeman. Ruess will begin his second three-year term Tuesday.

His second term will end Dec. 31, 2016. Ruess will serve as the chairperson for the COC for 2014.

MAINTAINING CRP PRACTICE COVERS
The USDA Farm Service Agency is committed to partnering with landowners and producers to create the most beneficial conservation practices in Ohio. Properly established and maintained CRP practice cover not only promotes wildlife, it helps prevent erosion and enhances water quality.

CRP participants follow a set of standards to establish and manage their conservation cover throughout the length of the 10-15 year contract. Properly maintaining CRP practice covers will allow landowners to survey their CRP practice cover and be aware of any potential problems.

CRP participants must follow the terms and conditions of the CRP-1 contract and support documents, including the Conservation Plan of Operations (CPO). The CPO is a record of the participant’s decisions and contains all practices necessary for the successful establishment, maintenance and management of the vegetative cover on all acres enrolled in CRP. CRP participants are reminded to schedule maintenance and management activities on CRP acres outside of the primary nesting season. Cost-share documents, along with detailed bills, are to be submitted to the FSA office after the activity has been completed.

Mid-contract management activities are required, and failure to perform them on time will result in a determination of noncompliance. Landowners and farmers who need more info can contact the FSA office.

SECRETARY VILSACK ON PASSAGE OF THE AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014
Secretary Vilsack made the following statement on passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014:

“Today’s action will allow the proud men and women who feed millions around the world to invest confidently in the future. Our communities will have additional support to attract new economic opportunity and create jobs.

During difficult times, children, working families, seniors and people with disabilities will have access to nutritious food. The potential of new products, treatments and discoveries will be strengthened through new agricultural research.

Renewed conservation efforts will protect our fields, forests and waters creating new tourism options. This legislation is important to the entire nation. Building on the historic economic gains in rural America over the past 5 years, this bill will accomplish those goals while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. While no legislation is perfect, this bill is a strong investment in American agriculture and supports the continued global leadership of our farmers and ranchers”

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE NEW FARM BILL?
Very little is known at this point except that by the time you are reading this article the new Farm Bill should be in place.

The legislation has passed the House and the Senate and was to be signed by President Obama on Feb. 7. It will take a while for everything to fall into place, software to be developed and training on the new program provisions.

We will provide you with any and all information as it becomes available to us. Stay tuned!

CHANGES TO IRS FORMS 1099-G AND 1099-MISC FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2013
In past years, IRS Form 1099-G was issued to show all program payments received from the Farm Service Agency, regardless of the amount. Starting in 2012, the 1099-G reporting changed. IRS Form 1099-G (Report of Payments to Producers) will only be issued to producers whose reportable payments total $600 or more for the calendar year.

Additionally, if the producer has at least $600 in reportable payments received from multiple FSA offices, only one Form 1099-G will be issued. Producers subject to voluntary withholding or backup (involuntary) withholding will receive the appropriate IRS form, even if combined payments are less than $600. The same changes will apply to producers and vendors who normally receive IRS Form 1099-MISC from FSA.

Any producer who receives less than $600 in combined payments should consult a tax advisor to determine if these payments must be reported on their tax return. If you have any questions, contact our office for information.

HIGHLY ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE
Landowners and operators are reminded in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions is required. Farmers with HEL-determined soils are reminded to comply with tillage, crop residue and rotation requirements specified in their conservation plan.

Farmers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to ensure compliance.

Failure to obtain approval in advance for any of these activities can result in the loss of eligibility for certain USDA program benefits. If you have filed a request for a determination more than 90 days ago and have not yet received your determination, you need to contact your local NRCS office and review the status of your pending request.